The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-27
VARIETY OF FOOD.
An Exclusive Corn Diet Unfavorable to the
Vitality and Health of Hn-s

| An Exclusive Corn Diet Unfavorable to the
! Vitality and Health of Hogs
That raw corn fed out on the ear is the
cheapest material that can be used for
making pork in the Western States ap-
pears to be demonstrated beyond a
doubt Several farmers in Central
Illinois have reported that they are able
to make pound of pork from ten
pounds OF corn, or six pounds from
every bushel fed to their hogs. If they
! raise 20 bushels of corn on an acre of
land they obtain 420 pounds of pork,
worth ut cents per pound S21. This
IS more than can be realized for any
Kind OF small grain. The fertility of
the soil is soon exhausted when success
sive crops of small grain are raised on it.
Such Is not the case, however, if corn
IS raised, fed to hogs on the place, and
the manure they make applied to the
land. A crop of corn can be raised and
harvested without the necessity ofpay-
ing out much money. The seed costs
but triile, and there is no bill for the
use of a harvester or a thrashing-
machine. A corn crop can be produced
by the use of tsle labor and implements
that almost every farmer has. Pork
can be sent to market much cheaper
than small grain.
A prairie farm chiefly devoted to
raising corn and feeding it to hogs is
very cheaply fitted up, stocked and
managed. 1t costs but little to make
shelter for hogs that will keep them
dry and warm. A fair crop of corn can
be raised on new breaking. Old ground
intended for producing corn can be
plowed in the fall or the following
spring. Almost any kind of manure
is beneficial to Il corn crop. The plant
ing of corn can be delayed much longer
than the sowing of small grains. The
work of cultivation can be performed
by a variety of implements. Hands
that are less skillful than those required
to raise many crops can plant, cultivate
and harvest corn. But few fences are
required on farm devoted to raising
corn and feeding hogs. Hogs multiply
so rapidly and mature so quickly that
il does not take long time to stock a
farm with them or to realize money
from them. In these respects thev
possess great advantages over cattle and
horses. A farmer who has but small
means can not engage in most kinds of
stock-raising. But he can raise hogs by
producing the corn for feeding to them.
Still it has become obvious that rails
hogs on diet of corn has been pro-
ductive of unfavOrable results. An
exclusive corn diet does not produce
the requisite proportions of bone and
muscle in animals. 1t contains too
much carbon and net enough nitrogen.
Breeding-sows that eat little ornothing
except corn are poor mothers. They
generally produce small litters of pigs,
and they give but little milk. Pigs
brought up on corn alone appear to
have little vitality. They are not as
lively as those that enjoy the privileges
OF free range and eat a variety of
food. They appear to be more likely
to contract disease. The hog has be-
come more delicate since it was kept in
pens and has had corn brought to his
trough. During the past few years
diseases have been more common and
more generally fatal among hogs than
horses, cattle, or sheep. On |
this account many farmers have
abondened pork-raising or Keep only |
enough hogs to supply their households
with meat. They do not dare take the
risks that attend keeping large numbers
of hogs and feeding them the corn they |
raise
The most successful hog-raisers now
advocate the substitution of other
grains, fruits and vegetables for half |
the corn they formerly fed, and they
rely chiefly on corn for making fat, but
they give their hogs bran, shorts.
ground rye, oats and barley, boiled
potatoes. roots. apples and pumpkins
or squsahes. They find the health and !!
general condition of their hogs better
when they are allowed change of food.
They are better breeders, and the sows
give more milk. The pork produced is
not as fat as that made from corn, but
it is generally preferred. There is less
but more meat that is suitable
for making bacon. The hogs are more
active and take more exercise. For this
reason their circulation and digestion
ire better. If they do not mature as
quickly, the risks of keeping them are
ess. 1t is admitted that the cost of feed
ng them is somewhat greater. as it costs
to grind the small grains,
md to cook the potatoes and other
A more diversified system
Il farming is required if many hogs are
,ept on place, and. corn only fur
fishes half the food that is given
hem.
1t is obvious that some substitute for
orn must be found in many portions
f the country that are now being
ettled up. Much of the territory adapted {
o the profitable production of corn is {
lready in the hands of individuals who /
ave improved it. What is known as {
he corn belt" is somewhat narrow.
nd it does not reach nearly across the
ointment. There are extensive regions ,
4 the district north and west that are .